Seasonal News & Tips

Protect your Northeast Ohio trees from summer storms with expert prevention tips. Learn when to call ISA Certified Arborists and avoid costly emergency damage.

Worried about drought stress in your Northeast Ohio trees after 2024's dry period? Learn to spot hidden damage and get your trees on the path to recovery.

Brown grass is easy to spot – but drought stress in trees is harder. Learn how to tell if Northeast Ohio is in a drought and what it means for your landscape.

Tired of feeling exposed in your own yard? Explore the best privacy trees for Northeast Ohio and find out which ones offer fast, lasting, natural screening.

Discover how to choose the best trees for your NE Ohio yard. Create a resilient landscape that protects your property and boosts curb appeal.

Transform your Northeast Ohio yard with the best shade trees! Boost curb appeal, increase property value, and cut cooling costs with these top picks.

Large trees on small properties in NE Ohio need careful management. Get expert tips to protect your home while preserving your valuable trees.

Worried about your trees in Northeast Ohio? Discover the signs they need structural support and how cabling and bracing can preserve your valuable trees.

Learn which invasive trees and shrubs are causing problems in Northeast Ohio, why they're harmful, and which Ohio-friendly plants to choose instead.

Tired of your backyard feeling like a barren wasteland? Transform it into a thriving habitat with expert tips on wildlife-friendly landscaping from Independent Tree.

Discover the best times to plant trees in Northeast Ohio. Learn why timing matters, ideal seasons, and tips for successful planting from certified arborists.

Wondering when and why your trees might need pruning? Here are the signs that it's time to prune your trees in Northeast Ohio to increase tree health & safety.

Don't let tree trunk problems threaten your property. Learn to spot 12 common issues, understand their causes, and take action to save your Northeast Ohio trees.

Curious about tree care in Ohio HOAs? If you live in an HOA in northeast Ohio, check out our guide to learn what you can and can’t do when it comes to tree work in HOAs.

Ash trees in northeast OH are being killed by the invasive emerald ash borer. Use these EAB treatments to protect your ash trees now or remove them before they die and become a danger.

Wondering if you should apply slow-release fertilizer to your trees? This guide covers all aspect of this fertilization method as well as best practices for application.

What’s wrong with your spruce tree? Spruce trees in Northeast Ohio are plagued with many pest and disease issues.

Learn how to properly fertilize trees in spring (and the mistakes to avoid!) for optimal growth and health. Follow our expert tips and advice for vibrant, thriving trees and shrubs, especially if they're newly-planted, stressed, growing in poor soil or a tough environment, or have been damaged over the winter.

The secret to a stunning landscape often lies in the art of shrub pruning, a task you can master with a bit of guidance. At Independent Tree, we're here to share our expertise and help you transform your yard into a horticultural masterpiece.

Our beautiful trees in Northeast Ohio can sometimes pose unexpected dangers. Learn the signs of a tree-related emergency, common causes of emergency situations, what to expect when you call a tree service company for urgent tree removal, and how to prevent these hazardous situations.

Wondering how to prepare for tree removal in Ohio? Learn the essential steps and expert tips to ensure a smooth and successful process.

Do herbicides harm trees? Discover the hidden dangers of herbicides on your trees and learn how to protect your leafy giants in Northeast Ohio.

The hidden dangers of leaning trees! Learn how they could pose a threat to your Northeast Ohio property and your safety. Click now for eye-opening insights.

Native trees are trees that have been growing in our area since before European colonization. Learn the importance of native trees in your northeast Ohio property, how non-native trees can harm our ecosystem, and why you should incorporate more native trees in your yard.

Accidents involving hazardous trees are preventable if you know what to look for. Here are five signs your Northeastern Ohio tree could be dangerous.

Aphids are insect pests that feed on many Ohio trees and plants. What can you do if you see them? Use these tips to treat and prevent aphid infestations.

If your pine trees are losing needles or if some of the needles are wilting, you may have a pine sawfly infestation. Learn how to recognize, prevent, and treat this tree pest in Ohio. 

Boxwood leafminers feed on and destroy our boxwood shrubs in NE Ohio. Do you know how to prevent and get rid of them? Read on for several strategies and methods to control boxwood leafminers.

Have you noticed that we don't apply treatments at the same time every year? That's because treatment timing is based on growing degree days, not the calendar date. See how that impacts your tree pest and disease treatments and why professionals get the best results by using this science-based method so schedule PHC applications.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the reasons why you may want to consider adding plant health care to your property maintenance this year.

Galls, or abnormal growths on trees and shrubs, may look like a major plant health care issue, but it is not. Read this article to learn more about galls on trees and know why you don't have to worry about them.

So what should property owners in Ohio do to prepare for winter weather, and what can they do after a winter storm passes through? In this article, we will answer both of those questions and will include some tips, resources, and links to help your trees and landscape survive winter in Ohio.

Found a hole in your tree? Leave those tree cavities alone. Filling it might do harm. Read this article to find out why.

Bucket trucks and cranes are important vehicles that help tree workers remove a tree safely and quickly. Not all tree service companies have or use this specialized equipment. Read this article to know why.

Winter burn on broadleaf shrubs isn’t pretty; bleached leaves, browning edges, and dying plants don’t look good in the landscape. Thankfully, anti-transpirant sprays can prevent most winter damage to shrubs. Here's what you need to know about anti-transpirant use in the Northeast Ohio landscape.

Look for these 6 things to help decide whether a tree can be saved or should be removed. It's not always obvious so call in an arborist if you're not sure.

If the leaves on your maple trees have dark, round spots that look like they’ve been splashed with tar, it’s probably a fungal disease called maple tar spot. Learn what to look for, how it spreads, and what to do about it.

We use the phrase “winter dormancy” a lot, especially when talking about why it’s good to prune trees during the winter (dormant pruning). But what does it really mean? And why is dormancy important?

Have your trees suffered damage from snow or ice? Learn how to identify winter damage to trees and how to help them recover in spring.

You probably don’t want to hear the words “tree rot” or “your tree is decaying.” Does it mean your tree is dying? Will a tree with decay need to be cut down? Does tree rot make the tree dangerous to the property and people around it? Learn how to identify, prevent, and treat tree decay before it’s too late!

Beautiful landscape shrubs and ornamental trees don’t happen on their own. They need regular pruning to look their best. Learn why, when, and how to properly prune woody shrubs and smaller trees to keep them looking good all year long.

Spots on tree leaves are an unsightly summer problem that can also be symptoms of a serious underlying disease or issue. By knowing what's causing the spots and how to treat and prevent leaf spot problems, you'll have a healthier tree that requires less maintenance in the long run.

What's the best way to deliver fertilizer, water, and soil amendments to a tree? Does it matter how healthy the tree is, where it's located, what the weather's like, etc.? You may be surprised at the answer!

Many trees can be pruned in summer. Learn why and when to do summer tree trimming, plus which trees should NOT be trimmed in summer.

Do trees in your yard need to be fertilized? What kind of fertilizer is best for trees and shrubs? What happens if trees aren't fertilized? When is the best time of year to apply fertilizer to trees in northeast Ohio? How should you do it? Keep reading for answers to those questions about fertilizing trees - and many more!

We’re often asked whether it’s better to plant a larger tree than a small one, especially if you want it to make an impact in your landscape more quickly. In this tree planting tip article, we explain how to choose the best size tree to plant and why.

Wood mulch is a layer of organic material used to cover the soil surface. This post answers all your questions about wood chips and wood mulch, how it benefits your garden, what to do (and not do!) with it, how to find it locally, and more.

We cover what you need to know about dealing with snow and ice-damaged trees or shrubs (bent over, broken, leaning, etc.), plus how to prevent snow and ice damage in the first place.

We share our favorite ways to bring color and dimension to your winter landscape, as well as tips to provide valuable food and shelter for wildlife.

Learn how dead trees support the environment, safety considerations, and what to do with a dead tree on your property to help wildlife (removal may not be the only or best option!).

Signs that indicate whether a branch or twig is dead or just dormant, why it's important to know the difference, and what to do if it's dead.

Learn what’s normal when it comes to evergreen conifers losing needles, why it happens, and when to be concerned about dropped needles.

Learn why and how leaves on deciduous trees change color and then drop to the ground in fall (hint: it's caused by pigments).

If your tree's leaves turn yellow while the veins stay green, it's probably chlorosis. Learn what causes it, how to distinguish chlorosis from other leaf problems, ways to prevent it, and how to treat the symptoms.

The incidence of tickborne diseases is rising across northeast Ohio. Learn how to spot and remove a tick, when and where they're active, the diseases they carry, how to protect yourself, and tick control options to keep them off your property.

Soil health has a huge impact on plant health and appearance. Keep your trees healthy by learning what soil is, how to identify healthy soil, ways to improve poor soil (most urban & suburban soil falls in this category), fertilizer use, and more.

What is rejuvenation pruning? We cover what it is; why, when, and how to do it; frequency; which shrubs benefit (and which will die!); caring for the shrub afterwards; and more.

Proper tree protection during a construction project can save you thousands of dollars in tree repair, removal & health care after the project is finished.

Apple scab is a common and easily-spread disease affecting apples & crabapples in northeast Ohio. Learn the symptoms, how to prevent it & treatment options.

IPM is an important part of creating a healthy and beautiful landscape using the least toxic and more sustainable methods possible. This article covers all the details as it relates to your trees and our PHC program.

Our top recommendations for winter tree care, including plant protection, preventing ice, snow, wind and salt damage, winter pruning, hazardous tree identification (before winter storms arrive!), and more.

If new foliage on your fruit trees or ornamental shrubs looks like it has been torched, or if there are patches of dead foliage and twigs in an otherwise healthy-looking tree crown, you might be looking at fire blight. If so, here is important information about the possible cause and what to do about it.

What's the best way to deal with piles of fallen leaves in autumn? It's not by sending them to the landfill! Here are four options to make best use of all those fallen leaves.

Protect the health and appearance of your trees by avoiding the most common pruning mistakes. It's easy when you know the proper pruning techniques (including what NOT do to), the right tools to use, when to prune and why you're doing it.

We all appreciate trees - in a distracted, not-really-noticing-them kind of way. But did you know they not only provide shade, they also have the same cooling effect as 10 air conditioners, make you feel 7 years younger, lower crime, prevent erosion and increase your property value? And that's just the beginning!

If you've noticed that tree and shrub leaves are starting to look like tattered lace, it's probably caused by Japanese beetles feeding on your plants. Starting in late June, these voracious pests can quickly skeletonize an entire shrub, as well as decimate flowers and ripe fruit. Learn to identify Japanese beetles and what you can do to control and prevent infestations.

As professional arborists called to tackle tree problems large and small, we’ve noticed something: most of the issues that we encounter stem from the wrong tree being in the wrong place. To help avoid this issue in the future, we’ve put together this guide to help you ensure that you are planting the RIGHT tree in the RIGHT place.

One of the biggest mistakes we see when trees are planted is that the full-grown size of the tree is underestimated. If you have a smaller yard or want to plant a tree near a walkway, deck, house, overhead wires, or other structures, you'll need to choose a tree that stays small. Here are our top recommendations for smaller trees that do well in northeast Ohio.

There's no cure for Dutch Elm Disease but there are some things a Certified Arborist can do to slow or prevent its spread. Learn how to keep your elm tree safe and healthy with these helpful tips.

Given how cold winters can be in northeast Ohio, you’d think insect pests would be killed by the frigid temperatures. But while some insects are decimated by the cold, many others manage to survive the deep freeze. And when spring arrives, they’re ready to start breeding and eating your plants! That’s why winter is a good time to inspect your trees, shrubs and landscape plants for evidence of overwintering insect pests. By identifying problems before the pests emerge in spring, you can prevent the situation from getting worse.

Is the top of your pine tree wilting, turning brown and/or dying? If so, the culprit is probably the White Pine Weevil. Learn how to identify white pine weevil damage and control the pests to prevent recurring damage.

What would fall be without the autumnal change from green to brilliant shades of orange, gold, red, and purple? Colorful fall leaves are almost magical and especially nice when the prettiest trees are planted in your own yard. That’s why we created this list of the best landscape trees for fall color in our part of the country! Our favorites are well-adapted, Northeast Ohio native trees sure to perform beautifully in our area. Any of these five beauties will add big color to your fall landscape.

Ever wondered what the inside of tree looks like? Or how to tell from the outside whether it's dead or alive on the inside? Take a look inside dissected trees from our Tree Autopsy workshop!

Many new trees are planted across Northeast Ohio during fall, which is wonderful! However, it's important to remember that your newly planted trees will rely on you to help them grow and thrive. Follow this checklist to keep all of your trees, both new and old, healthy during the fall season and into winter.

A tiny pest is causing huge problems for hemlocks in northeast Ohio. If you have any hemlock trees on your property, the hemlock woolly adelgid (pronounced uh-DEL-jid) may already be destroying them. First discovered in Ohio in 2012, these minuscule pests may appear insignificant at first, but they can kill an entire tree in as little as a single season, or slowly kill it over many years.

Lichen commonly grows on trees in northeast Ohio. Find out what lichen is, why it's on your tree, if it's harming the tree and what to do about it.

Have you noticed recent changes in your beech trees? The leaves may be curling, withering, and drying long before fall foliage changes should begin. Or maybe you’ve noticed dark lines on beech tree leaves. Both are signs of beech leaf disease (BLD) that's affecting beeches in NE Ohio. Here are the known facts.

Mulch is one of the least appreciated, but most important additions to the landscape, with many benefits for trees and your landscape. Unfortunately, it's often used incorrectly, leading to plant disease, damage and even death. Learn what mulch is, how to use it and what to avoid.

March marks our transition from winter to spring, and it's a good time to start taking care of your spring tree care needs. Here are the things you can do each spring to keep your trees healthy, safe and beautiful.

It may still be winter but spring is just around the corner. And with spring comes insect pests and diseases. February is the time to plan and schedule spring tree & shrub treatments to prevent insect and disease problems. Here's our treatment schedule for northeast Ohio showing when to treat specific insect pests, fungal issues and diseases.

During our long Northeast Ohio winters, it can seem like everything outside is hibernating. The trees have lost their leaves, the water is frozen over, and a blanket of snow covers everything. But evergreen trees and shrubs are still alive, colorful, and vibrant during these gray winter months, creating visual interest in the landscape and providing a host of other benefits.

It’s a common misconception that tree maintenance cannot be done during the winter months. In reality, winter and early spring are a perfect time for many tree care jobs, especially dormant pruning and tree removals.

During fall, bucks rub their antlers on young trees, causing considerable damage and even killing the trees. Find out what you can do to protect your trees from deer antler rubbing.

The autumn season—late August through mid-October—is an ideal time to plant in Northeast Ohio. The key is to plant the right things the right way. Here are our recommendations for what to plant and how to care for it.

Are your trees suffering from heat stress? Just like people experience heat stress or heat stroke, so do trees. Here are the signs that your trees need help.

When summer arrives we’re all excited to enjoy the beautiful, warm-weather season in the Cleveland area. But remember that as the weather changes, so should your tree care and maintenance efforts. Don't assume that your trees will enjoy the summer season as much as you do unless they get a little bit of extra care and attention. Here's a quick list of summer tree care dos and don’ts to keep in mind this summer.

“We have seen thousands of fine trees planted with a few dry roots crowded into a little hole scooped out of sod and covered with the same. This is called planting? When will such abomination cease?” – H. Garrison (1875). Illinois State Hort. Soc. 9: 366-371. So, you want to plant a new tree or shrub?…

Oak Wilt is a deadly fungal disease that has put all oak trees in northeast Ohio at risk. Once infected, there’s no known cure for Oak Wilt – so prevention is the best option for saving your oak trees. OAK WILT RESOURCES >> Learn More 4 Steps To Prevent Oak Wilt Infection 1. Avoid Pruning…

The best spring-flowering trees are low maintenance, long-lived, and offer multiple seasons of interest here in Northeast Ohio. With many options to choose from, here are our four favorites.

Have you ever wondered where maple syrup comes from? This time of year in Chardon or other Northeast Ohio towns, you will notice many of the maple trees have small metal buckets attached, or a plastic tubing system running from tree to tree. Those tubes and buckets are collecting sap from the maple trees, which…

Each winter, thousands of tons of de-icing salt are applied to state and municipal roads in Northeast Ohio in an effort to keep roads dry, ice-free and safe for drivers. We also use rock salt and other de-icing materials on our own properties to clear walkways, driveways, patios and parking areas. But salt has a…

Here in Northeast Ohio, our trees and shrubs face a whole range of threats during winter, both from the weather itself and from animal pests. Cold dry winds can dry out trees, especially evergreens The weight of heavy snow and ice breaks branches, leading to a damaged and unsightly plant Road salt and spray damages leaf tissue…

One of the easiest and most effective ways of protecting your landscape from insect damage is with a light application of dormant or horticultural oil. Apply it in spring as pests are emerging from summer dormancy but before bud break.

Fall is a recommended time of year for tree planting in many regions, including Northeast Ohio. The climate is typically cool and trees have plenty of time to establish their roots before the heat and rain of spring arrives to stimulate their top growth. It can be very easy to be so excited to plant your new trees that you ignore certain planning steps or potentially overlook an important task that could protect your tree and help it grow strong. Here are the dos and don't to get it done correctly.

Late June marks the official start of the summer season, often signaling consistently warm temperatures in Northeast Ohio. Unfortunately, June also marks the arrival of many summer pests. If you see strange markings or abnormalities on your tree, as detailed below, do not ignore them. The following are just a few of the many pests…

  Honeybees are an important part of the ecology in Northeast Ohio. Facts About Honey Bees Honey bees are the top pollinators. Honey bees provide nearly 80 percent of pollination in the United States. Bees collect pollen, which is produced by flowering plants, and use it as food. In the process, they pollinate many of…

From late April to early May, your trees should be sprayed or injected in order to control and prevent damage from fungal diseases like apple scab, anthracnose and cedar-hawthorn rust.

  Every spring, you can join with others across Northeast Ohio in celebrating the very special holiday of Arbor Day. Have you made your plans yet? While there are many ways that you and your family can celebrate the day, we have compiled some of our favorite options. 1. Plant a tree! In the spirit…

We're fortunate in northeast Ohio to have many trees that develop nuts each fall. Hickory, oak and pine are just a few. From them we get food, dye and more. So this year, why not harvest them instead of raking them into bags for disposal?